10 UAE Jewellery Brands To Shop This Season
The Middle East is famed for its extraordinary artisanry and fine jewellery flair; here, Bazaar Arabia rounds up 12 talented designers to discover in the UAE
We are always on the look out for reasons to shop, and if the brands being our own isn’t reason enough, we don’t know what is. Bazaar Arabia has compiled a list of 10 of the best regional UAE jewellery brands for you to shop, whether you feel like treating yourself, or you’re looking for an investment piece to expand your collection.
10 UAE-based Jewellery Brands To Shop This Season
Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery
Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery was founded in 2020 by HH Sheikha Sana Al Maktoum, who wanted to continue her grandmother’s legacy in promoting “entrepreneurship, inner strength and female empowerment.” Her Highness was inspired by the elder Sana, who was a keen jewellery collector and founded her own business in the 1960s. Spurred on by her grandmother’s trailblazing, Her Highness obtained a diploma in jewellery design and diamond grading from the Gemological Institute of America and International Gemological Institute, and began to build a brand with a clear vision – to embolden women through ethereal, feminine, and modern jewels. Discover her collections at sanaalmaktoum.com.
Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal founded her eponymous jewellery brand in 2017, hoping to instil her passion for art, culture and architecture into collections of elegant jewels showcasing simple silhouettes and immaculate craftsmanship. Her ‘Butterflies of Hope’ collection offers a modern take on a traditional fine jewellery motif, while her Arabic Letter necklaces are a chic everyday design that will effortlessly slip into a slew of fine pendants and chains. Lana begins each piece with a hand-drawn sketch, before it is brought to life in gleaming 18-karat gold, diamonds and bold gemstones. Discover the collections at lanaalkamaljewelry.com.
Bymystique
Drawing inspiration from the celestial realm, ByMystique’s collections riff upon the stars, moon and sun. Crafted in Dubai using 18-karat recycled gold, the designs are adorned with glittering pavé diamonds, mother of pearl and miniature coloured gems. The newest collection, ‘Volcanic Dents’ looks back down to earth, inspired by the power and contours of volcanic landscapes, with sculptural gold silhouettes dusted with delicate diamond accents. Discover the collections at by-mystique.com.
Noora Shawqi
Occasionally, a designer comes along who dreams up a creative concept that is so simple, yet simultaneously striking, that they become utterly inimitable. Noora Shawqi is one such designer. Noora boasts a fine pedigree – a certified diamond graduate from the Gemological Institution of America, she is trained in diamond grading and digital jewellery design by the International Gemological Institute – but her brand began by her simply sharing some of her favourite pieces on social media. Noora’s designs are instantly recognisable, her delicate strands of diamond motifs set with kaleidoscopic enamel can be worn as a single, scintillating accent, or stacked aplenty to suit maximalist sensibilities. Discover the collections at noorashawqi.com
Arqa Jewellery
Arqa Jewellery is an Emirati fine jewellery brand that prides itself on precise artisanry and bespoke craftsmanship. Founded by Aisha Rashid in 2019, Aisha is a certified jewellery professional by the International Gemological Institute and Gemological Institute of America. Arqa designs are inspired by avant-garde architectural forms and contemporary art, brought to life in mixed metal tones and fine white diamonds. The Aurora collection showcases striking sunray motifs, while the Octagon collection features an ultra-modern three-dimensional silhouette – its first creations were inspired by the number eight to celebrate the founding of Arqa Jewellery in the eighth month. Discover the collections at arqajewellery.com.
MKS Jewellery
MKS Jewellery was founded by Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Khalifa bin Saif Al Nahyan in 2013. Just two years later, H.H. Sheikha Mariam received the ’Young Designer of the Year’ Arab Woman Award, and embarked on a series of philanthropic efforts through her glittering creations, including a partnership with Emirates Red Crescent and Untitled Chapters on an initiative with Syrian Refugees women and children. The brand’s designs bring a little bit of luxury to everyday dressing – slender stacking rings, whisker-fine chains and slim bangles are signature pieces to be mixed and matched. Discover the collections at mksjewellery.com.
Donna Hourani
Donna Hourani has an expert eye for gemstone pairings. Her asymmetric silhouettes, wavy gold rings and molten settings are peppered with bold coloured gemstones, and there is an eccentric quirkiness to her designs that will draw in true magpies. From the ‘My World’ necklaces to the ‘Foreverness’ rings, Donna’s collections are a storyteller’s dream – if you’re seeking pieces with sentimental meaning and potent symbolism you won’t be disappointed. Discover the collections at donnahourani.com.
Gafla
Based in Dubai, Galfa was founded by Hamad Bin Shaiban and Abdulla Beljafla, who came together to create a brand infused with their Emirati heritage. The pair hoped to bring traditional symbols of Arabic culture to life in the finest materials, creating showstopping pieces for connoisseur collectors and jewellery enthusiasts alike. The ‘Merwad Gafla’ collection celebrates traditional perfume bottles crafted in 18-karat gold, while the ‘Bahar’ collection gathers gleaming strands of pearls into swathes of striking tassels and ropes. Discover the collections at gaflajewellery.com.
O Jewellery
Offering some of the most romantic collections we’ve ever seen, O Jewellery crafts chic collections of jewels brimming with sentiment and meaning. Its ‘Love Letters’ collection features twisted gold silhouettes set with sparkling diamond messages, and the ‘Year’ bangle is the perfect gift for a special birthday. Other collections, such as the ‘Tangier 1939’ collection demonstrate the maison’s artisanry prowess – its twirling tassel pendants are an eclectic addition to any neck stack. Discover the collections at theojewelry.com.
Toktam Jewellery
Toktam creates some of the most crave worthy collections in the region. Looking for an unusual monogram necklace? Its ‘Alphabet’ pendants are brought to life in playful, circus-esque font available in elegant white diamonds or fun colour pop enamel, and can be paired with other eye-catching pendants to make a totally unique mix of treasures. The reversible ‘Candy Crush’ pendant is a particular favourite, while the ‘Veil’ collection offers ultra-elegant designs that are perfect for any black-tie event. Discover the collections at toktamjewelry.com.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@noorashawqi